Whistler Blackcomb Turns Up the Heat on Summer Activities

New Top of the World Bike Trail and Spearhead Walk Will Expand Product Offering

WHISTLER, BC, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. announced today that as Whistler Blackcomb transitions from winter to summer, a new variety of activities on and off the mountains becomes available, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for guests of Whistler Blackcomb.

"We have really been looking forward to our summer season this year," says Doug MacFarlane, Mountain Manager at Whistler and Blackcomb. "It is an exciting time because we have developed two new experiences for our guests to enjoy this summer. Firstly, we have expanded the offering of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park by offering access to some truly remarkable terrain. And secondly we will be adding to our alpine hiking experience by introducing a breathtaking new sightseeing walk on Whistler Mountain. These and other new activities will expose our guests to unforgettable new ways of experiencing the mountains."

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SUMMER 2012 OVERVIEW:

"SPEARHEAD WALK"
As Whistler Blackcomb transitions into summer, the mountains' abundant trail network returns from the depths of winter for guests to enjoy, featuring this season's newest trail called The Spearhead Walk. Located on Whistler Mountain, the trailhead is accessed directly in front of the Roundhouse Lodge and is a short, 1km walk with slight elevation changes and features incredible alpine vistas. Alpine wildflowers also come into bloom during the summer months from late-July to early-August, accentuating the alpine experience with a wide range of beautiful colours.

"TOP OF THE WORLD" AT WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
New this summer, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open its first lift-accessed alpine mountain bike trail from the Peak Chair. The alpine mountain bike trail, named Top of the World, will descend from the summit of Whistler Mountain leading riders into the Garbanzo Zone of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. This expansion will increase the Bike Park's vertical by 332.5m (1,091ft) to a total of 1508m (4,946ft), making it the largest and highest Bike Park in North America. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park opened May 18 and it will run through to October 8.

GLACIER SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
As temperatures rise and the summer season kicks into gear, guests can cool down by heading up to the Horstman Glacier for a day of skiing/riding. Beginning June 23, guests can check out the summer glacier experience from 12pm to 3pm daily until July 29.

PEAK 2 PEAK ALPINE EXPERIENCE
Beginning May 26, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola reopened for summer sightseeing through to October 8. Spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is the "must do" summer experience in Whistler.

The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola breaks three world records:

• At 436m (1,427ft) above the valley floor, it's the highest lift of its kind
• The longest unsupported span at 3.024km (1.879mi)
• Part of the longest continuous lift system in the world

And while the record-setting statistics are impressive, nothing compares to the experience itself. The journey between the two Mountains unveils a 360-degree window of Garibaldi Provincial Park and the Coast Mountain Range.

FAMILY ADVENTURE ZONE PRESENTED BY NINTENDO
Head to the Family Adventure Zone presented by Nintendo, located in the Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain for a variety of activities guaranteed to keep the whole family happy. Opening June 16 until September 3, it's a short walk from Whistler Village or easily accessible via the Wizard Express Chairlift on the way down Blackcomb Mountain.

BEAR VIEWING AND ECOLOGY TOURS
With a population of over 60 black bears, sightings from Whistler Blackcomb chairlifts and gondolas are a common treat. For a closer look, guests can book a bear viewing tour with Whistler Blackcomb's resident bear expert, Michael Allen. Guests will learn how conservation and enhancement initiatives help to sustain healthy populations, and how Whistler Blackcomb designs recreational experiences to ensure a sustainable future. Choose between a tour around the mountains in a 4x4 vehicle or a gradual walk down the ski trails allowing guests to safely watch and photograph bears.

MOUNTAINTOP BBQ SERIES
Sizzling barbeques and live entertainment will put zest into every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. Guests ride up the Whistler Village Gondola and enjoy mouth-watering BBQ, fresh salads, and delicious desserts at 1,800m (6,000ft). Whether dining inside or on the scenic patio, it's a great experience for the whole family. The Mountain Top BBQ Series starts June 23 and runs through to September 8.

SUMMER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Bull's-Eye Canadian National BBQ Championships - Aug 3-5
From local legends to world champs—the Canadian BBQ Championships attract competitors from all over the world to battle it out for cash, prizes and entry into the World Barbecue Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Crankworx Whistler - Aug 10-19
A showcase of the best freeride mountain biking for amateurs and professionals along with an outdoor expo, demos, and much more.

5 Peaks Trail Running Series - August 25
Running over rocks, roots, tree stumps and logs, up ski hills and hiking trails, through puddles, mud, snow and much more…these courses take people off-road and into the hills.

ABOUT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB HOLDINGS INC.

Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. owns a 75% interest in each of Whistler Mountain Resort Limited Partnership and Blackcomb Skiing Enterprises Limited Partnership, which, together, carry on the four season mountain resort business located in the Resort Municipality of Whistler, British Columbia.  Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the Olympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America's premier four-season mountain resort, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain are two side-by-side mountains, connected by the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, which combined offer over 200 marked runs, over 8,000 acres of terrain, 14 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receive on average over 1,170 centimetres (460 inches) of snow annually, and offer one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WB".  For more information, visit www.whistlerblackcombholdings.com. Additional information related to the Corporation is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements or information, within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including, but not limited to, the expectations, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information or statements about future events or conditions which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Corporation can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and assumptions made by the management in light of its experience and perception of current conditions and expected future developments, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic, business and market conditions and other risks as are detailed in the AIF. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Corporation has no intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by applicable Canadian securities laws.

Jeremy Roche
Senior Manager, Investor Relations 
Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc.
[email protected]     
Ph: 604-938-7376